ROLL TIDE!!!

Grateful Reflecting

Recently, David and I have done much reflecting on the grace and faithfulness of the Lord in our lives over the past year. November 14th marked one year since our John David was diagnosed with high-functioning autism. Throughout this past year of praying for and seeking to be a student of our son, we are convinced that John David has Asperger's syndrome. (You can click HERE for a definition.) He is doing so well, and we daily praise the Lord for providing the resources and services that have so greatly benefited our son. Much of what has helped John David has simply been the education of David and I in this area. Oh, and we have so much yet to learn! But we praise the Lord for giving John David to us and count it a high privilege to be his parents. The other day I told David that - if we weren't John David's parents - I would be envious of anyone else who got to be! He is such a blessing to us and I cannot imagine life without him . . . I cannot imagine him being any other way. John David is so unique, and his uniqueness is nothing short of endearing.

So this Thanksgiving, we are especially giving thanks to our kind Heavenly Father for our children, and the grace He is providing us to parent them. We could not be parents for one moment without this sufficient grace, nor without the wisdom that God's promises to provide when we ask Him (James 1:5).

If you would like to reflect with us on this time last year, click Thanksgiving 2008.

Below are a few pictures from yesterday . . .

A Happy Thanksgiving, indeed!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day 

at Granny and Pop's house

John David - wet after throwing rocks in the pond - 

and "Buddy" the dog, 

who has sat on my grandparent's fireplace as long as I can remember :)

Little Miss Claire, communing with her great-grandparents . . .

My younger brother, Kameron, with his sweet fiance, Olivia 

I'm so thankful for my family!

How Time Flies!

Happy 2 months, Baby Claire! 

We are so thankful that the Lord sent you to us! 

Weekend of Blessing

My friend, Julianne Jordan Butler, is expecting a little boy - Jeremiah Luke - at the beginning of January.  Claire and I were able to go to Birmingham this weekend for Julianne's baby shower.  What a wonderful time we had celebrating the upcoming arrival of baby Jeremiah and visiting with some dear friends.           

me, Jessica, Julianne, Linn & Liza

...and baby Jeremiah!

These precious girls and I have so many childhood memories that will forever make me smile (and many, down right belly laugh! :) and will always be stored in the "priceless" section of my heart.  I love these girls and I'm so thankful for their consistent love and friendship throughout the years, despite distance and time between "connecting."  I love the instant comfort and kindredness that we share - no matter how long it has been - as if we have never been apart. They are all godly women who love the Lord and are serving Him with their lives.  I am so thankful that Claire was able to meet these women who have had such an impact on her mother. :)  

I praise the Lord for His grace in allowing each of you to be a part of my life.  It's an honor to call you friend.  

Look Alikes

So often when I look at my little girl, images of John David as an infant come to my mind. Here are a few photos that I have taken of Claire that remind me of some I took of John David.  I thought I would share a few, although there are so many photos in which I think they resemble.  

My Precious Children

Oh, how little time there is to update a blog these days!  There is so much that I want to post; so many pictures and updates, but even now, there is no time for all of that.  So, I decided to put a few pictures of my precious children that were taken recently, on Claire's first Sunday going to church. 

my little girl

she's growing so fast

sweet feet

singing and playing his heart out!

my big boy

I hope to be able to post more before TOO long!